Need Advice as a Leftie...

123

Hey all! I'm new here and new to the pistol world considering a purchase. I was trained in small arms in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in the days of the military issue 1911 (1994 Clinton Navy), and qualified Expert marksman then. Haven't picked up or purchased a pistol since, but I'm considering my options as a left handed shooter. I was actually trained in the "cup" style grip and never realized why the control felt awkward when I was in the service until I went window shopping today. After being instructed on the higher fulcrum grip being taught now (and made to feel somewhat dumb), I've noticed that the two weapons I feel most comfortable with, the Sig P226 and the Springfield XD 9mm, both have complete left side controls. While I'm not concerned about this for a "heat of battle" conflict, considering that I don't plan on reloading a clip after expending 15 rounds into body mass, I know it will be annoying for range fire. Is there any way to adjust the way I utilize the controls so as to use my shooting hand to drop the clip or release the slide lock without it being cumbersome? I'm not so much concerned about case ejection or rifle twist, and the dealer wasn't very helpful (he was more concerned about pointing me toward ambi guns like the FNH), I'd just think there have been people in my situation who have adapted and can give me some pointers. Thanks.

Check out the XDM, the mag release is ambidextrous. As a lefty, you also have to worry about the de-cocker on a DA/SA Sig. They just came out with a 226 Elite SAO which I've been after the to make for years. That might be worth checking out, or a DAK model.